The 2020 college football season is facing uncertainty because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and players might be choosing to sit out this year. It’s not just the games that could be affected.
According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, multiple agents predict that college football players eyeing NFL careers may decide not to play this season. Many conferences have already canceled nonconference matchups due to the pandemic.
One agent stated, “If this [COVID-19] situation continues this way, there’s a high chance that some top players will sign with agents in the next two months and skip the season. They’re going to opt out.” Another agent mentioned, “I’m in talks with some elite players. I spoke to four of them yesterday, and they all expressed similar sentiments. They are ready to move on. This chapter is closed.”
In addition to these developments, the Pac-12 and Big Ten have scrapped their non-conference games, and the Ivy League has pushed all sports to 2021.
A Power Five athletic director shared with The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach his thoughts, saying, “It seems like we’re just delaying the inevitable.”
Regarding the players, an agent believes that top college stars like Trevor Lawrence from Clemson may not see any benefit in returning for another season and could risk more than they stand to gain.
The agent explained, “For these top players, there’s really nothing to gain from returning, except for the glory of Alabama football with Nick Saban or Clemson football with Dabo Swinney. I mean, what true advantage is there for you to keep playing? There’s nothing to gain. It’s all risk.”
